History

The Sherwood Public Library began as a dedicated shelf of books in the local drugstore in 1935. The collection was later moved to a rented house. By 1969, the City of Sherwood elected to support the Library and it was moved to the basement of a historic building which also served as City Hall. The local “Friends of the Library” group was formed in 1976 and began fund-raising which, combined with matching Library Services and Construction Act (LSCA) funds, built a 3,000 square foot building in 1986. Also in 1976, Sherwood Public Library became a founding member of the new Washington County Cooperative Library Services network of libraries that brought library services to urban and rural residents of the county.

In December 2005, the Sherwood Public Library & City Hall was opened, funded primarily through Urban Renewal funds and sales of city-owned properties. The new Library, designed by Thomas Hacker Architects, features 14,000 square feet of space with more desks, Internet PCs, shelves and library materials. An added feature is the gas fireplace surrounded by comfortable seating in the inviting newspaper and magazine area.